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Bill

SB 902

Relating to: creating a civil cause of action for sexual extortion.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jesse James and 2 co-sponsors

Wisconsin SB 902 establishes civil lawsuit rights for sexual extortion victims to recover damages from perpetrators, addressing coercion via intimate images or information threats.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Bill Summary · SB 902

Legislative bill overview

SB 902 would create a new civil cause of action in Wisconsin law allowing victims of sexual extortion to sue perpetrators for damages. Sexual extortion—commonly known as "sextortion"—involves coercing someone through threats to share intimate images or information to obtain sexual acts, money, or other benefits. This bill would provide a legal remedy distinct from existing criminal statutes.

Why is this important

Sexual extortion has increased significantly with digital technology, often targeting minors and young adults who may be too afraid or ashamed to report crimes through traditional channels. A civil cause of action would allow victims to seek monetary damages directly from perpetrators without relying solely on criminal prosecution, which has high burden-of-proof standards and limited victim recovery options.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and definition clarity: Questions about how "sexual extortion" would be legally defined and whether the bill adequately distinguishes it from existing crimes like harassment, blackmail, or sexual coercion
  • Liability concerns: Potential unintended consequences for platforms, third parties, or individuals who might inadvertently facilitate or be tangentially involved in extortion situations
  • Evidentiary challenges: Difficulty proving extortion occurred, especially in cases involving digital communications, deleted messages, or situations where the victim may have initially consented to image-sharing
  • Why it failed: The bill did not advance past the 2026 legislative session despite unanimous committee approval, suggesting potential concerns about implementation details, legal precedent conflicts, or competing legislative priorities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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